Asperger's and dyslexia

Asperger’s syndrome, also known as AS, or high functioning autism, is grouped along with the Autism Spectrum Disorders, although Asperger’s syndrome is a mild form of autism. This is a psychological disorder that affects the child’s perception of the inability to read the facial expressions of others. The AS sufferer has difficulty with communication and social settings, suffering a great deal of anxiety when forced to be among others. This is due to the fact that they realize their uncertainties in these areas.

Although the autistic child has difficulty with speech and other areas of development, the Asperger child suffers no developmental delays. In fact, just the opposite is true of these children and they are regarded as having average to above average intelligence. Their thinking process is often very organized, highly logical and deeply thought out.

Unfortunately, their inability to pick up social clues and “read” people often interferes with their advancements on a social level. They suffer with a great deal of anxiety in these situations that causes them to wonder why they are different and why people react to them in the way that they do. The Asperger child will often line things up and are sometimes awkward in their gestures and movements.

Some or all of these things may be present in the normally developing child as well. This is the reason that Asperger’s children may often be misdiagnosed, most often as having ADHD, or worse, not being diagnosed at all possibly into their later childhood years or even later than that.

Dyslexia is a disorder, a learning disorder, which makes learning how to spell, read, and write very difficult for some people. This disorder is a lifelong disorder. However, improvements in the dyslexic’s skills can be made. Additionally, some people who suffer with dyslexia also have difficulty with speech as well. A dyslexic’s disabilities can range from very mild to very severe.

In the dyslexic person the brain is impaired in regard to the translation of the letters that he or she is viewing and hearing, although dyslexia is neither the result of a vision nor a hearing disability. Dyslexia can appear in three different forms and can affect the person in several ways. Its causes are varying, but most type of dyslexia due to a brain disability, although the dyslexic is in no way mentally retarded.

Asperger’s and dyslexic can go hand-in-hand although many people afflicted with Asperger’s syndrome are not dyslexic. Through specialized one-on-one learning techniques, social skills, behavior, and communication therapy a child with both of these disorders can be helped and lead a productive and well rounded life. Contact your local Autism/Asperger’s, and dyslexia groups for assistance in dealing with these disorders. Information on the internet is also plentiful and extremely helpful in finding other means of support in dealing with these disorders.

Tips for Getting your Autistic Child Photographed

The needs of an Autistic child can be photographing them very difficult. They can have a hard time sitting in one position, or have sensory issues with bright lights. Here are some tips for getting the perfect picture of your Autistic child.

1. If you are going to a photographer make sure you let them know ahead of time your child is Autistic. Let them know of any issues with bright lights, or problems sitting still. This will give them time to make some changes if need be.

2. Take pictures of your Autistic child at home, or on outings. A picture does not have to be taken by a professional to be good. If your child has a hard time sitting still get a picture of them while they are sleeping.

3. Take our child to get their picture taken during good times of the day. If you know that afternoons are usually filled with temper tantrums ad meltdowns make the appointment for first thing in the morning, or another time your child is more relaxed.

4. If your child has a special toy that helps them feel relaxed take it along to the photo session. It might help the child to remain calm while having their picture done. If your child insists on holding the toy ask the photographer to include it. If your child does not like to look directly at the camera have their picture taken while they are looking up.

5. Have a photographer come to the house if you do not feel comfortable taking the pictures. They can capture your Autistic child in their natural setting. This might make your child feel more relaxed. Consider taking the pictures outdoors.

6. If your child can not sit still for a picture allow them to stand, or lay down if they choose. Do not try to force them into a position they are uncomfortable with. This could lead to a meltdown. Allow them to direct the photo shoot. If the photographer does not want to cooperate find someone else that will.

7. Ask around. Find out where other parents have taken their Autistic children. They may know someone who has experience with special children.

8. Wear comfortable clothes for pictures. There are no rules that say every picture must feature your child in formal wear. Uncomfortable clothing can really bother an Autistic child with sensory issues.

9. Do not push so hard for a perfect picture. Pictures of children laughing and playing can be just as good as them sitting posed. If you keep pushing for a perfect picture you might upset the child to the point of getting no pictures.

10. Give the Autistic child time to warm up to the camera. Let them see how it works if they have not had their picture taken before. This can make them more relaxed and calm.

Try and make the experience as calm and relaxing as possible. This will allow your child to feel at ease. The pictures will turn out better by letting your child e themselves.

Coping Mechanisms for Asperger's Syndrome Children in the Public Classroom

Stress is a normal part of the daily classroom experience for children. Most children have natural coping mechanisms that allow them to deal with stress and keep it from building up. A child with Asperger’s Syndrome, on the other hand, frequently does not have these kinds of coping mechanisms. Instead, children dealing with this disorder find that they are singularly ill equipped to handle the stress that suddenly seems to grow by leaps and bounds. In the private school setting there may be ways to work around stressful events, but in the public school setting all bets at private attention are off.

Coping mechanisms for Asperger’s Syndrome children in the public classroom are a much needed skill and since these children are their own worst enemies because of their inability to deal with changes in routines and quickly shifting situations, the groundwork for stress and the inability to cope with it are laid. Expression of stress usually takes on one or more of three possible avenues: 1. Depression over failing grades, inability to make friends, or simply a lack of stability. 2. Rage at other children and because of insufficient academic prowess. 3. Apathy that makes it impossible for the child to snap out of their inertia and deal with the issue that require attention.

Coping mechanism are designed to help a child with Asperger’s Syndrome before she or he experiences any of these problems. While it would be optimistic to charge a child with the responsibility for making better choices in the public classroom setting and for dealing with the rage and anger they may be experiencing, it is actually up to the teacher to present the kind of classroom that makes it possible for the child to do well.

The teacher should start by setting up the kind of learning environment that is well organized, structured, and not given to sudden upheaval. Avoid surprising changes and off-the-wall changes of pace need at all costs. Foreseeable transitions and established routines should dominate the learning experience. Parents or caregivers need to work with the children on establishing coping mechanisms when they feel the pressure building.

These coping mechanisms include three quick breaths, slow counting on their fingers, and even journaling for a brief period of time. For children who are really and deeply upset, the use of a comforting ritual is often the best course of action. This ritual may include the reading of a certain passage, folding a piece of paper into an origami shape or even devoting some time to personal hygiene. While none of these coping mechanisms make the stress causing factor go away, they all serve to prevent the exhibition of inappropriate coping skills, such as a raised voice, a temper tantrum, or withdrawal from activities and peers.

Even as the public classroom is woefully limited in the ways it can help a child with Asperger’s Syndrome to deal with the demands of a stressful day, the skilled teacher still has many abilities to make the entire experience more bearable for the child.

Your Child and Asperger's Syndrome

You may have been told that your child has Asperger's Syndrome (AS), a neurobiological disorder this is part of a group of similar conditions called "autism spectrum disorders". These similar conditions can have different combinations and different degrees of severity of similar symptoms. Any two children who receive the same diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome may have similar behavior patterns and different skills and abilities. These children with the same diagnosis of AS may have different terms used to describe them such as low-functioning, or high-functioning, or autistic tendencies, and pervasive developmental disorder. Kids who have been diagnosed as having high-functioning autism often share the same symptoms as kids diagnosed with AS.

Asperger's Syndrome is often difficult to diagnosis and treat. Your child may have been misdiagnosed along the way to the diagnosis of AS.

A Viennese Pediatrician first described the set of behaviors in 1940 that later became known as Asperger's Syndrome, his name was Hans Asperger. He noticed that children had the following behaviors: normal to high intelligence and language development, severely impaired social skills, an inability to effectively communicate with others, and had poor movement coordination.

Those with Asperger Syndrome typically have onset of symptoms later than kids with autism. Usually the diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome is made after age 3, with the majority of kids being diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 9.

A child with Asperger's Syndrome usually exhibits poor social interactions with others, exhibit obsessions, have odd speech patterns, and other peculiar mannerisms. They usually show very few facial expressions and have difficulty interpreting or noticing body language expressed by others. They also have an unusually high sensitivity to sensory stimuli such as to light, sound and touch. Though individuals with AS can function in society, they generally are socially immature are seen by others to be eccentric, odd, and clumsy. Children with AS are usually picked on by bullies at school because of these behaviors that set them apart from other kids.

As the child grows he or she may show trouble having empathy for others, and have difficulty dealing with social situations. AS is a lifetime disorder that with early intervention and treatment can have a positive outcome.

Your child may show the following signs and have some or all of these symptoms:

Minimal social interactions with others, inappropriate interactions with others, repetitive speech that may seem robotic or scripted, a lack of common sense, difficulty when it comes to reading, math, or writing skills, an obsession with complex topics such as music and patterns, average to below-average nonverbal cognitive abilities, with average to high verbal cognitive abilities, awkward physical movements, and odd behaviors or mannerisms.

Where a child with autism usually shows a delay in language development, kids with AS have good grammatical skills and usually have an advanced level of vocabulary early on in childhood. Kids with AS show appropriate age development when it comes to feeding, dressing and other self-help skills but have difficulty with attention span, and organizational skills. Kids with AS typically have normal to high IQs.

Medicine Used to Treat Autism

There are many types of medications used to treat Autism. These medications will fall into different categories based on the type of problem that is being dealt with. Medication will not cure the Autism, it just helps with some of the problems associated with it. Here are some of the medications used when treating an Autistic child.

Antipsychotic

This type of medication is used to treat behavior problems in children with Autism. They can also be used to treat insomnia, and aggression. This type of medication should be used if behavior therapy is not working. Some times an Autistic child will try to harm their selves. Antipsychotic medicines can help control this.

Anticonvulsant

Some Autistic children have seizures. This type of medication is used in controlling or preventing the seizures.

Depression and Anxiety Medications

A large portion of Autistic children deal with depression and anxiety. They need medication to help control these feelings. These medications are found to cause suicidal thoughts in some kids. Watch for changes in your child's behavior.

Sedatives

Children with Autism sometimes have a hard time falling asleep at night. They are given a sedative to help them sleep. There are natural alternatives that can be used in place of sedatives. They will not make your child dependant on them to fall asleep.

Stimulant

Stimulants are used in treating kids with hyperactivity. They are also used in children that have a hard time paying attention or concentrating. These medicines can help the child focus longer. This can be useful for a school age child who is having problems paying attention in school. They can help a child who is having trouble staying focused on their school work. This can mean a difference in passing or failing.

Medications can help treat the problems found in Autistic children. Parents need to be careful when using any medications with their children. Some of these medications can have terrible side effects. Each child will react differently to the medicine. If you notice the medicine is not helping consult your child's doctor. Medications need to be combined with other types of therapy to successfully work in treating Autism. Always use the lowest effective dose of the medications. Do not start or stop a medication without talking to your child's doctor first. Some Autistic children do not speak so it is important to watch for changes in their behavior. If they begin acting strange they could be having a reaction to the medicine, and need to see the doctor.

Medication should be a last resort when treating Autism. If it must be used, combine the medication with other forms of therapy for better results. Remember the medicine is not a cure for Autism. The medicine just helps to lesson some of the symptoms the child is experiencing. Always be sure of the correct dosage of medication to give your child. Talk to the doctor about any long terms side effects caused by the prescription. Also make sure to ask about any interactions with other medications your child is taking. Sometimes medication will be the only thing that helps your Autistic child. Just make sure the child is monitored for any side effects.

Autistic Forms of Teaching and Tolerance

Understanding how autistic children learn is key to teaching them with the same intensity as you teach other children. This may seem like a straightforward idea, but autistic children learn so differently that understanding autism itself is a must when you teach autistic children. By becoming educated in the disorder, teachers can effectively learn to deal with autistic children and adults both in and out of the classroom, creating a more understanding world for everyone

Autistic children are often visual thinkers. Thus teaching by speaking will not be entirely effective. Teachers should combine pictures with words for the autistic child to fully comprehend the lesson. For instance, if you are teaching about the animals of the world, you should have a flash card with the word "mouse," say the word aloud slowly and clearly, and show the child a picture of a mouse. Perhaps even bring a live mouse in for show and tell. Nouns may be easier to teach autistic children since verbs require action and can be more difficult in illustrating. If you are teaching autistic children words such as "sit" or "stand," you should complete these actions when you teach the word. Also, because of the tendency to be visual, autistic children are often unable to follow long sentences. They cannot decipher the sequence and become confused. Thus, writing instructions can be very helpful when proctoring tests or quizzes.

As visual thinkers, autistic children can often fixate on a particular object or picture. If this is the case, try incorporating that object or picture into lesson plans. If the child likes planes, try using planes for visuals wherever you can in the lesson. For example, when teaching math, create word problems about planes to interest the child. Autistic children also tend to be artistic or musical, producing highly original drawings and showing above average abilities with instruments or voice. Set aside time in the day for the arts and encourage activities that the children enjoy.

Autistic children may also have trouble writing because of the control over their hands and movement. This is frustrating for both the child and the teacher. To reduce frustration, allow the child to use a computer. If you can do this, make sure that the keyboard and monitor are close together as the child may have difficulty remembering what he or she has typed recently.

By being open to teaching an autistic child to the best of your ability, you are not only giving him or her the best opportunities in life, but you are also being a good role model to the other children in the class. Do not allow an autistic child to ruin the learning experience for others, but rather incorporate his or her oddities into your lessons as much as possible. Creating a more prejudice-free classroom is the best gift you can give this child.